In-cavity connectors for system detectors in microwave assisted processes

ABSTRACT

A system is disclosed for carrying out microwave assisted chemical reactions. The system includes a source of microwave radiation, a cavity in communication with the source, a plurality of reaction vessels in the cavity, a pressure line in fluid communication with at least one of the reaction vessels, a pressure transducer in communication with the pressure line, an electrical connector for the transducer in a wall of the cavity, and a shield around the connector that prevents microwaves launched into the cavity from interfering with electrical signals transmitted through the connector.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to microwave assisted chemicalprocesses, and in particular relates to processes carried out in closedvessels in microwave cavity resonators for which internal conditions inthe vessels are preferably monitored.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Microwave assisted chemistry refers to those techniques in whichthe initiation, acceleration, or other enhancement of an intendedchemical reaction is encouraged by the application of microwaveradiation to the chemical reaction. In many circumstances, where eitherreactants or the solutions or mixtures in which the reactants are foundare susceptible to microwave radiation, the microwave radiation takesthe place of conventional heating. For a number of reasons which arewell understood and widely explained elsewhere, microwaves interactdirectly with such materials and thus tend to heat them much morequickly than other heating methods such as radiant conduction orconvection heating. As a result, many chemical reactions can be carriedout much more quickly in a microwave assisted environment than they canusing conventional (e.g., conduction or convection) heating.

[0003] In addition to being enhanced by the application of microwaves,certain chemical reactions are preferably carried out under pressure. Inmany such circumstances, the reagents, solvents or other carriersgenerate the pressure as they evaporate into gases in a closed reactionvessel under the influence of the microwaves. When such reactions arebeing carried out, it is often desirable, and sometimes necessary, tomonitor the temperature and pressure inside the vessel. Monitoring thetemperature and pressure give a useful indication of the progress ofcertain reactions, can be used with feedback circuits and controllers tomoderate the amount of microwave radiation being applied to a reaction,and in some cases, provide a necessary safety factor so that theapplication of microwaves can be stopped if pressure or temperaturereach certain predetermined values.

[0004] One preferred method of measuring pressure in a reaction vesselduring the application of microwaves is the use of a transducer type ofsensor. Used in its broadest sense, the term “transducer” refers to adevice which measures a primary signal and converts it into a secondarysignal. The secondary signal is then used in a monitoring or controlscheme. Pressure is considered to be a mechanical primary signal,although other primary signals can include thermal, electrical,magnetic, radiant, or even chemical signals. Because devices useful inmicrowave assisted chemistry are often used in conjunction with controlcircuits that include microprocessors, a preferred secondary signal froma transducer is an electrical signal. It will be recognized, however,that the secondary signal could also be mechanical, thermal, magnetic,radiant, or chemical in nature. For the sake of clarifying thediscussions herein, the term “pressure transducer” will be primarilyused to refer to a device in which the mechanical pressure exerted bythe chemical reaction is translated into an electrical signal.

[0005] Because microwaves are electromagnetic radiation, however, theytend to interfere with the operation of electrical devices such astransducers. Alternatively, even if the microwaves don't interfere withthe devices themselves, they may interfere with the signals generated byand transmitted from the transducer. Accordingly, in conventionalmicrowave assisted chemical systems, the pressure transducer istypically located outside of the resonator cavity in which the reactionvessels are being exposed to the microwaves. In order to monitor thepressure, an appropriate pressure-resistant hose runs from the vessel,through the wall of the cavity, and then externally to the transducer.

[0006] Such arrangements of the vessel inside the cavity, the transduceroutside the cavity, and the connecting pressure hose raises particularproblems. First, the hose cannot be disconnected from the vessel or thetransducer until the pressure in the vessel is otherwise released.Internal pressures in such reaction vessels often are quite high, insome cases 800 pounds per square inch (psi) or more. Theoretically, anin-cavity disconnect coupling of some type could be used a part of thepressure hose. Such a coupling would have to be bothmicrowave-transparent while sufficiently strong to withstand the highpressures. To date, however, such couplings are either unavailable, tooinconvenient for reasonable use (e.g., size and positioning problems),or so expensive as to be commercially unreasonable with respect to theoverall cost of the device.

[0007] Accordingly, in commercial devices, the transducer must bemaintained on the outside, and the vessels cannot be disconnected fromthe transducer until they have cooled sufficiently to reduce thepressure in the vessels to manageable and safe levels. As a result,although microwaves can accelerate certain reactions to completionrelatively quickly, the cooling down and depressurization of the vesselscan take a disproportionately long time, thus slowing down the overallturnaround rate of the reactions. Because one advantage of microwaveassisted chemistry is its enhanced speed, the requirement of waiting forvessels to cool and depressurize moderates some of that advantage. Forexample, many laboratory microwave devices hold six or more of the highpressure reaction vessels, so that six or more reactions (usually withidentical reagents) can be carried out at the same time. These devicescan be used repeatedly to run dozens of tests in a relatively shorttime, except for the down time required for one set of vessels to coolbefore they can be disconnected and removed from the microwave cavity.

[0008] Accordingly, a need exists for an apparatus in which vessels canbe removed from the cavity while still hot and under high pressure, butwithout having to disconnect them from the transducer while thetransducer is being exposed to the high pressure from the vessels.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide asystem and apparatus in which pressure vessels can be removed from amicrowave cavity while they are still under pressure and while they arestill connected to a transducer.

[0010] The invention meets this object with a detection vessel for usein carrying out microwave assisted chemical reactions. The detectionvessel comprises a body formed of a material that is substantiallytransparent to microwave radiation; a sensor that converts a primarysignal from inside the vessel into an electrical signal; an electricalconnector for the sensor; and a grounded shield around the connector forpreventing microwaves from interfering with electrical signalstransmitted through the connector.

[0011] In another aspect, the invention is a system for carrying outmicrowave assisted chemical reactions. The system comprises a microwaveresonator cavity, an electrical connector in the cavity, and a groundedshield around the connector that prevents microwaves launched into thecavity from interfering with electrical signals transmitted through theconnector.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the inventionwill become more clear when taken in conjunction with the DetailedDescription and the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the relationship between acavity, pressure vessel, pressure hose, transducer, connector, andshield according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] The present invention is a system for carrying out microwaveassisted chemical reactions. The system is broadly designated at 10 inFIG. 1. In its broadest sense, the invention is a reaction vesselbroadly designated at 11 in FIG. 1 for use in carrying out microwaveassisted chemical reactions. The detection vessel comprises a body 12that is formed of a material that is substantially transparent tomicrowave radiation. As schematically illustrated in FIG. 1, the bodyportion further includes a pressure sealing cap 13 that can be removedin order to provide a relatively wide mouth to the body 12 into whichreagents can be placed. The particular design and features (other thanthe invention) of the vessel 11 can be conventional in this art withexemplary vessels being set forth, for example, in commonly assignedU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,206,479; 5,230,865; 5,320,804; 5,369,034; 5,427,741;and 5,520,886; the contents of which are incorporated entirely herein byreference. The vessel includes a sensor shown as the transducer 14 thatconverts a primary signal from inside the vessel into an electricalsignal. The sensor is connected to an electrical connector 15, and agrounded shield 16 is positioned around the connector 15 for preventingmicrowaves from interfering with electrical signals transmitted throughthe connector.

[0015] In the preferred embodiments and as illustrated in FIG. 1, thesensor comprises a pressure hose 17 in communication with the interiorof the vessel 11 with the sensor 14 comprising a pressure transducer influid communication with the hose 17 and in electrical communicationwith the shielded connector 15. The operation of such sensors, includingpressure transducers, is well-understood by those of ordinary skill inthis art, and an appropriate discussion is also set forth in Dorf, TheElectrical Engineering Handbook, Second Ed. (1997, CRC Press) at Chapter56, “Sensors,” at page 1255ff. Appropriate pressure transducers arecommercially available from numerous sources, including (by way ofexample and not limitation), Entran Devices, Inc., 10 Washington Ave.,Fairfield, N.J. 07004.

[0016] The connector 15 is selected to be functionally compatible withthe sensor 14, and as such can be selected by those or ordinary skill inthis art and without undue experimentation. Many types of appropriateconnectors are commercially available, with AMP Inc. (Harrisburg, Pa.)being an exemplary (but not sole) source of almost any type ofelectrical connector desired or necessary.

[0017] In these preferred embodiments, the hose 17 is preferablysubstantially transparent to microwave radiation, and the shield 16 ispositioned in and grounded by one wall 20 of a microwave resonatorcavity that is schematically defined by a plurality of walls, of whichthe wall 20 and corresponding walls 21, 22, and 23 are illustrated inFIG. 1. The cavity defined by the walls is designated at 24 in FIG. 1.For a number of reasons, including minimizing or eliminatinginterference with microwave radiation in the cavity, the shield 16 ismade of metal and is preferably cylindrical in shape. The shape of thetransducer 14 (i.e., its external housing) is less critical once it hasbeen shielded, but is often cylindrical as is the connector 15.

[0018] As noted above, the shield 16 is preferably grounded by the wall20. The cavity walls, including the grounding wall 20, are formed of amaterial, usually metal, that reflects (rather than transmits) ofmicrowave energy. In turn, the metal grounding wall 20 can itself begrounded by any appropriate arrangement. Appropriate groundingtechniques and structures are well known in the art and will not beotherwise discussed herein.

[0019] Accordingly, in another aspect, the invention comprises an entiresystem for carrying out microwave assisted chemical reactions. In thisaspect, the invention comprises the microwave resonator cavity 24, theelectrical connector 15 in the cavity 24, and the grounded shield 16around the connector 15 that prevents microwaves launched into thecavity from interfering with electrical signals transmitted through theconnector 15. As noted above, the cavity 24 is defined by the pluralityof walls, including, but not limited to, the walls 20, 21, 22, and 23illustrated in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the shield 16 is againpositioned in the cavity wall 20 which in turn is electrically groundedat 27 to thus electrically ground the shield. FIG. 1 also shows that thesystem comprises a source of microwave radiation schematically indicatedas the magnetron 25 in FIG. 1, and means for launching the radiationfrom the source into the cavity. The launching means can include awaveguide 26, the operation and design of which are well know to thoseof ordinary skill in this art. An overall discussion of microwavepropagation, including waveguides and resonator cavities, is likewiseset forth in Dorf, supra, at Chapter 39, “Microwave Devices,” pages979ff.

[0020] Similarly, principles of shielding are generally well understoodin this art. The shield 16 is selected and designed to preventmicrowaves in the cavity from affecting either the operation of thetransducer 14, or the electrical signals generated by the transducer 14and transmitted therefrom. Dorf, supra, at Chapter 40, “Compatibility,”pages 1003ff, gives an appropriate overall discussion of basic groundingand shielding principles.

[0021] The microwave source 25 is usually a magnetron because of itswell-understood operation, generally wide availability, andproportionally reasonable cost. The source 25 could also include otherdevices, however, such as klystrons, solid state devices, or otherparticular devices such as that set forth in co-pending and commonlyassigned U.S. application Ser. No. 09/063,545, filed Apr. 21, 1998, toGreene et al. for “Use of Continuously Variable Power in MicrowaveAssisted Chemistry,” the contents of which are incorporated entirelyherein by reference.

[0022] In the preferred embodiments, the grounded shield 16 is also of asize and shape sufficient to act as a microwave choke. As known to thosefamiliar with the propagation of microwave radiation, the size of thechoke is selected based upon the wavelength and frequency of thepropagated microwaves. Thus, those of ordinary skill in this art canselect a choke of an appropriate size without undue experimentation. Byway of example and not limitation, however, for a typical microwavefrequency of 2450 MHZ, the shield 16 will comprise a cylinder havingdimensions of about 2 inches in length and 0.8 inch in diameter to alsoact as an appropriate choke.

[0023] As set forth above, in preferred embodiments, the sensor 14comprises a pressure transducer in electrical communication with theconnector 15 for converting a primary signal into an electrical signal.

[0024] In yet another embodiment, the invention comprises a source ofmicrowave radiation shown as the magnetron 25, a cavity 24 incommunication (i.e., microwave communication) with the magnetron 25, areaction vessel 11 in the cavity 24, a sensor associated with the vessel11 for measuring a physical parameter within the vessel 11, anelectrical connector 15 for the sensor adjacent a wall 20 of the cavity24, and a shield 16 around the connector that prevents microwaveslaunched into the cavity from interfering with electrical signalstransmitted through the connector. The sensor preferably converts aphysical characteristic of the contents of the reaction vessel 11 intoan electrical signal, and in the most preferred embodiments the sensorcomprises a pressure line 17 in fluid communication with the reactionvessel 11, and a pressure transducer 14 in communication with thepressure line 17. In the preferred embodiments, the transducer 14 isalso surrounded by and thus shielded by the grounded shield 16 which isin electrically grounding contact with the wall 20. As in the previousembodiments, the grounded shield also comprises a microwave choke sothat the arrangement of the shield, the transducer and the connector 15prevents microwaves from leaking from the cavity 24.

[0025] In each case, the shield 16 needs to be grounded to avoidinterfering with or being undesirably affected by the microwaves in thecavity 24. Although the shield 16 could be grounded in some manner otherthan in contact with a metal wall, such an arrangement would require anadditional grounding wire in the cavity 24. Although the use of such agrounding wire is not impossible, it does offer certain disadvantages insome circumstances because if of a sufficient length or diameter (orboth), it can act as an antenna for the propagated microwaves. Thus, theshield 16 is most preferably positioned against and grounded by the wall20. When not grounded by the wall 20, the shield 16 must be grounded insome manner that is appropriately kept from interfering with thepropagated microwaves. In turn, when the shield 16 is placed against thewall 20, it could provide an opening through which microwaves canescape, and thus is preferably of a size and shape that will act as themicrowave choke as noted above.

[0026] In a most preferred embodiment of the invention, the systemcomprises a plurality of reaction vessels in the cavity 24. Such anarrangement is similarly disclosed in a number of the above-referencedcommonly assigned prior patents including for example U.S. Pat. Nos.5,206,479 and 5,320,804. In such circumstances, usually one of thevessels is monitored while the remained are assumed to have conditionstherein similar to the one being monitored.

[0027] In use, the system permits the transducer 14 to be disengagedfrom the connector 15 while the reaction vessel 11 remains sealed andunder pressure. As a result, the vessel 11, and any others, can beremoved from the cavity 24 as soon as a reaction is completed (or at anyother desired point). In turn, a new vessel or set of vessels canimmediately be placed in the cavity and then subjected to microwaveradiation without waiting for a previous set to cool and depressurize.The system thus permits a faster and more efficient use of the availablemicrowave equipment.

[0028] In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosedtypical embodiments of the invention, and, although specific terms havebeen employed, they have been used in a generic and descriptive senseonly and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the inventionbeing set forth in the following claims.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A detection vessel for use in carrying outmicrowave assisted chemical reactions, said detection vessel comprising:a body formed of a material that is substantially transparent tomicrowave radiation; a sensor that converts a primary signal from insidesaid vessel into an electrical signal; an electrical connector for saidsensor; and a shield around said connector, said shield being positionedin and grounded by the walls of a microwave resonator cavity forpreventing microwaves from interfering with electrical signalstransmitted through said connector.
 2. A detection vessel according toclaim 1 wherein said sensor comprises: a pressure hose in fluidcommunication with the interior of said vessel; and a pressuretransducer in fluid communication with said hose, and in electricalcommunication with said shielded connector.
 3. A detection vesselaccording to claim 2 wherein said pressure hose is substantiallytransparent to microwave radiation.
 4. A detection vessel according toclaim 3 wherein said shield has a size and shape sufficient to serve asa microwave choke.
 5. A system for carrying out microwave assistedchemical reactions, and comprising: a microwave resonator cavity; anelectrical connector in said cavity; and a grounded shield around saidconnector that prevents microwaves launched into said cavity frominterfering with electrical signals transmitted through said connector.6. A system according to claim 5 wherein: said cavity is defined by aplurality of walls; said connector is in one of said cavity walls; andsaid one wall is electrically grounded to in turn electrically groundsaid shield.
 7. A system according to claim 5 comprising: a source ofmicrowave radiation; and means for launching the radiation from saidsource into said cavity.
 8. A system according to claim 7 wherein saidsource comprises a magnetron.
 9. A system according to claim 7 whereinsaid launching means includes a waveguide.
 10. A system according toclaim 5 wherein said grounded shield further comprises a microwavechoke.
 11. A system according to claim 5 and further comprising atransducer in electrical communication with said connector forconverting a primary signal into an electrical signal.
 12. A systemaccording to claim 11 wherein said transducer is a pressure transducer.13. A system for carrying out microwave assisted chemical reactions, andcomprising: a source of microwave radiation; a cavity in communicationwith said source; a reaction vessel in said cavity; a sensor in saidvessel for measuring a physical parameter within said vessel; anelectrical connector for said sensor adjacent a wall of said cavity; anda shield around said connector that prevents microwaves launched intosaid cavity from interfering with electrical signals transmitted throughsaid connector.
 14. A system according to claim 13 wherein said sensorconverts a physical characteristic of the contents of said reactionvessel into an electrical signal.
 15. A system according to claim 13wherein said sensor comprises: a pressure line in fluid communicationwith said reaction vessel; and a pressure transducer in communicationwith said pressure line.
 16. A system according to claim 15 wherein saidtransducer is also shielded by said shield.
 17. A system according toclaim 13 wherein said shield is in electrically grounding contact withsaid wall.
 18. A system according to claim 13 wherein said sourcecomprises a magnetron.
 19. A system for carrying out microwave assistedchemical reactions, and comprising: a source of microwave radiation; acavity in communication with said source; a plurality of reactionvessels in said cavity; a pressure line in fluid communication with atleast one of said reaction vessels; a pressure transducer incommunication with said pressure line; an electrical connector for saidtransducer in a wall of said cavity; and a shield around said connectorthat prevents microwaves launched into said cavity from interfering withelectrical signals transmitted through said connector.
 20. A systemaccording to claim 19 wherein said shield further comprises a choke thatprevents microwaves from escaping said cavity.
 21. A system according toclaim 19 and further comprising a waveguide between said source and saidcavity.
 22. A system according to claim 19 wherein said vessels areformed of a material that is substantially transparent to microwaveradiation.
 23. A system according to claim 19 wherein said sourcecomprises a magnetron.